Laois haulage boss says unwinding supports would be 'madness'
Fuel supports are due to be phased out from September
The Laois man at the head of the hauliers association says it would be ‘madness’ for the Government to unwind fuel supports.
Irish Road Haulage Association(IRHA) President Ger Hyland says his industry cannot afford to operate if fuel prices rise too high.
Fuel supports are to be phased out from September and hauliers have called on the Government to review this decision until we get a little more clarity on the direction of travel of the Middle East conflict.
Hauliers are calling on the Government to postpone winding down of fuel supports as fuel prices surge again.
Hauliers say the winding down of fuel supports is premature as oil prices rise and motorists brace for higher prices at the pumps.
As the price of oil exceeded $90 a barrel for the first time in almost six weeks, hauliers are bracing for a sharp rise in the price of fuel at the pumps in the coming days.
The Irish Road Haulage Association(IRHA) has said it is too early to start winding down fuel supports and cautioned that the latest surge in prices at the pumps could drive inflation and impact on households across the country.
Mr Hyland, described it as “madness” to even consider hiking the price of fuel at a time when fuel prices are rising sharply.
As the peace deal in the Middle East collapses and any prospects for talks becomes more remote, fuel prices are again putting pressure on Ireland’s transport industry, who are feeling the pinch.
According to Mr Hyland, the Government has to be realistic when it comes to what people can afford at the pumps.
“Let’s be clear here. Most of the price of fuel in Ireland is made up of various taxes. Many countries across the EU have lowered fuel taxes and I think now is not the time to consider winding down fuel supports. Iran and the region are very volatile and things don’t look to be getting better. Fuel prices are just too high for the volume of fuel that hauliers use. Our industry cannot afford to operate at these prices”